The world-famous highway to Hana is among the must-do experiences when visiting Maui. It might be overwhelming planning what to see on this iconic highway journey when you will have restricted time. So we’ve rounded up all of the highway to Hana stops that we did on Maui’s epic coastal drive. You don’t must see the whole lot (until you will have the time) so we’re right here that will help you select what are the highest stops that it’s essential to make.
The Road to Hana, aka The Hana Highway, takes you from the surf city of Paia to the peaceable city of Hana. It’s straightforward to seek out the very best stops on the highway to Hana, all you have to do is observe the mile markers. We have included the mile marker for every cease on the Hana Highway on this information. It is a superb addition to any Maui trip.
The Road To Hana
Most folks make a day journey out of the highway to Hana drive and start in Paia within the morning spending the remainder of the day working their approach out to Hana Town stopping alongside the way in which. We as a substitute drove straight out to Hana earlier than dawn to discover Hana Town and its close by sights earlier than making our approach again slowly within the afternoon. It was the very best determination we made. We prevented the site visitors and had lots of the high stops on the Road to Hana all to ourselves.
The Hana Highway is among the hottest day journeys on Maui, so it will probably get very busy quick. We suggest leaving early and driving on to the Pools at O’he’o Gulch a part of Haleakala National Park which is about half-hour past Hana. Getting there early beats the crowds and you’ll hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls in relative peace and quiet after which, you’ll be able to then spend the day slowly making your approach again to Paia.
Recommended Road To Hana Tours
Top Road to Hana Stops
Traffic on the highway to Hana from Paia to Hana is plugged and stopped later within the day. Seeing the sights in reverse order, enables you to benefit from the viewpoints and waterfalls at your individual tempo. Plus, we discovered the views on the way in which again, approach higher than on the way in which out as we had been on the fitting facet of the highway with unobstructed views!
Stock up Before you Leave Paia
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Hot Hana Highway Tip
Before heading out, seize some gourmand picnic lunches to take with you on the Road to Hana. The Hana Picnic Lunch Company places collectively lunch and breakfast on your highway journey. Order the day earlier than 2 pm to be able to set out early within the morning. There are picnic tables alongside the route the place you’ll be able to cease to benefit from the extraordinary ocean views. Or you’ll be able to seize some banana bread and a espresso earlier than leaving and save lunch for when you arrive in Hana.
Note: The espresso outlets and eating places don’t open till 7 am, so if you wish to decide up provides for the day, we advise doing it the night time earlier than and making a espresso out of your lodge.
1. Paia Town
Paia isn’t only a cease on the Hana Highway, it’s a vacation spot unto itself. Located on the North Shore of Maui, there are many issues to do in Paia to maintain you occupied. We recommend spending a few nights having fun with this surfer’s city. Ho’okipa Beach Park is a superb place to observe the world-class surfers and windsurfers and Baldwin Beach is an exquisite lengthy sandy seashore that may be a must-visit.
Making our base in Paia we stayed on the hip boutique lodge, the Paia Inn, the place we woke early to make our approach to Hana. After selecting up a espresso at Paia Bay Coffee Bar and ordering a boxed lunch at CJ’s diner we had been on our approach.
2. Haleakala National Park
As we talked about above we drove on to the tip of the Road to Hana to start our highway journey. Going in the other way of the site visitors.
The maps and guides can have Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) as your final cease on the highway to Hana, however we wish to be totally different, so that is the primary cease of our day.
Located half-hour past Hana at Mile Marker 42, this department of Haleakala National Park is attractive. Once you arrive, you’ll stroll the Pipiwai Trail to a few of the most scenic sights on Maui. This lovely portion of the nationwide park homes a bamboo forest, the 400-foot-high Waimoku Falls, the Seven Sacred Pools ( Oheo Gulch), and the Haleakala volcano. This was undoubtedly the spotlight of our highway journey and we spent the vast majority of the morning right here.
It prices $30 per automobile to enter Haleakala National Park. This provides you entry to the nationwide park for 3 Days which incorporates the Haleakala Summit. So you would spend the day right here sooner or later, after which head to Upcountry Maui and catch the dawn on the Haleakala Summit the next day.
3. Pipiwai Trail
The Pipiwai Trail is a straightforward path crammed with scenic views. The 4-mile climbing path is an exquisite scenic stroll that takes you thru large Banyan bushes and an unlimited bamboo forest earlier than you attain your last vacation spot on the lovely and really excessive Waimoku Falls. If you’re into climbing ensure to take a look at our information Top 12 Hikes in Maui to Take your Breath Away for some nice solutions across the island.
4. Bamboo Forest
The bamboo forest was a spotlight of the path. We have by no means seen such a pristine bamboo forest exterior of Asia. The bamboo was dropped at Maui by Asian migrants engaged on pineapple farms to make use of as scaffolding. There is a boardwalk that cuts by way of the forest and strolling trails placing you within the heart of this beautiful scene. Make positive to spend a little bit of time right here, it’s attractive and really uncommon to see.
5. Waimoku Falls
The finish of the path involves the 400-foot-high Waimoku Falls. It’s postcard-perfect for pictures. We suggest having a very good pair of water sneakers or Tevas as you’ll be crossing streams. By arriving early, we shared the waterfall views with just one different individual. It was actually spectacular.
Note: Obey the indicators to not get too near the falls. We noticed different folks ignoring it, however have heard that there have been deaths at these falls resulting from falling rocks. It feels protected sufficient to take a look at, however it’s harmful.
6. Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch)
The Seven Sacred Pools (Also often known as the Pools of ‘Ohe’o or Oheo Gulch) are one of many high sights to see on Maui and they’re additionally positioned within the National Park. They can get very crowded, so it’s value getting there early. It is a beautiful cascading steps waterfall. It is a brief loop path of solely 1km.
Be conscious, the Seven Sacred Pools Trail is commonly closed resulting from flooding and there have been deaths at Oheo Gulch obey the indicators and observe the principles.
Once you will have completed up within the National Park it’s time to make your approach again to Paia. We suggest stopping as a lot as potential at any scenic lookout you could.
We stopped at lots of the waterfalls and scenic lookouts on the way in which again and actually loved driving on this course. For one, we had been now on the fitting facet of the highway to have the cliff views and two, we weren’t sitting in site visitors till the night.
7. Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is taken into account Maui’s most photographed waterfall and you’ll cease right here for some photograph alternatives. It’s essentially the most accessible waterfall on the highway to Hana and it’s a beautiful cascade of 80 toes over a rocky jungle setting.
Wailua Falls is positioned a mile marker 45 in your approach again from the Pools of O’he’o. You can swim within the plunge pool beneath these waterfalls
8. Koki Beach Park
Koki Beach Park is a pleasant photograph cease since it’s a combination of crimson, black, and white sand. It shouldn’t be an appropriate swimming space because of the robust currents, however it’s a good photograph cease for a scenic view. It’s positioned simply exterior of Hana and is an efficient spot to benefit from the gourmand picnic lunch that you just had packed earlier than leaving Paia.
The turn-off for Koki Beach is positioned at Mile Marker 51.
9. Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach is that good crescent-shaped sandy seashore that everybody is searching for. There is a car parking zone right here, that fills up quick and it’s important to stroll down a set of stairs to get to the seashore. The seashore is owned by Hana Maui Resort, so you may be sharing it with friends who’ve entry to all of the facilities. But there are restrooms open to most people. If you keep the night time in Hana, this can be a good seashore to spend a while at.
Hamoa Beach is positioned at Mile Marker 50 and there’s a car parking zone right here. The stroll down is steep so be ready when you have mobility points.
10. Hana Town
By the time we received to Hana Town (aptly nicknamed heavenly Hana), it was time for some meals. Hana is taken into account the “traditional Maui” feeling like a sleepy city you’d count on on the Hawaiian Islands. I think about that is what Paia was like a few many years in the past.
If you resolve to spend the night time in or round Hana, it’s a terrific place to chill out for the day. You can take a look at the cultural heart, chill out on the seashore or take pleasure in some downtime on the spa. There is a picnic space the place you’ll be able to seize a chew to eat and chill out by the water taking within the ocean views or you’ll be able to hit one of many eating places.
We grabbed snacks on the common retailer as a substitute of choosing a sit-down lunch. There was an excessive amount of to see and we didn’t need to waste time consuming. So with our automobile stocked once more with meals, we had been on our approach. Whenever we’re on a highway journey, we want meals available.
11. Wai’anapanapa State Park
In a nutshell, Wai’anapanapa State Park is the place you get that traditional photograph of the Hana Highway. With lovely scenic viewpoints and a black sand seashore, it’s a must-stop for no less than {a photograph}. There are some climbing trails, caves, and a blowhole to discover right here.
It is right here that you just’ll see the Pa’iloa, the traditional black sand seashore of Maui. There is a stairway main right down to the seashore the place you’ll be able to rise up shut with the graceful black pebbles lining the shore.
Note: Wai’anapanapa State Park is positioned simply previous Mile Marker 32 and it’s essential to make reservations to enter the State Park.
12. Hana Lava Tube
This is your probability to go inside a lava tube should you’ve by no means been. The Hana Lava Tube was shaped by lava flowing to the ocean for a two-year interval. As the outer layer cooled, the lava continued to move inside making a tube. Give your self an hour to see it. It is certainly probably the most underrated stops on the Hana Highway the place guests can discover the 0.3 miles on their very own to discover the caverns, stalagmites, and lava tubes.
- The Hana Lava Tube is positioned at Mile Marker 31 and the doorway charge is $15 per individual for a self-guided tour. There are restrooms right here.
13. Hanawi Falls and Upper Waikani Falls
Two of the stops on the way in which again which might be positioned earlier than midway to Hana are the Hanawi Falls and Upper Waikani Falls. You can hike to see them however simply ensure to discover a protected parking spot that doesn’t block site visitors.
The falls are positioned at Mile Markers 19 and 24 respecively.
Upper Waikani Falls
If you need to cease at waterfalls, there are 18 alongside the Hana Highway. Upper Waikani Falls is also known as the Three Bears with the papa, mama, and child bear waterfalls cascading at totally different lengths. You can go for a swim right here or simply chill out on the boulders and benefit from the views of considered one of Maui’s hottest waterfalls.
Hanawi Falls
Hanawi Falls might be considered from Hanawi Stream’s bridge, (one of many 80 bridges alongside the highway to Hana). The cascade of Hanawi Falls drops 200 toes into the plunge pool beneath. The water is chilly right here so it isn’t one of many waterfalls to go swimming in.
Nearby there may be the Nahiku Market place the place you may get some espresso, tacos, sorbet, and different snacks you could take pleasure in below the shade.
14. Halfway to Hana Stand
The highway to Hana is brief. If you permit early within the morning and drive straight, you might be by way of it in 90 minutes. But should you take your time, you could be prepared for a relaxation cease and a brief snack by the point you get to mile marker 17. Another nice highway journey within the US is 17 Mile Drive in California.
This little store is understood for its banana bread produced from native bananas. They additionally promote Maui’s favourite “shave ice,” ice cream, and different snack bar favorites. There is even an atm should you discover you’re working brief on money. There is just a little picnic space the place you sit below the shade to take pleasure in your ice cream too. If you need to strive one other nice banana bread take a look at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread which is about 4. miles earlier than you attain Halfway to Hana.
15. Ke’anae Arboretum
What is nice about this cease on the Hana Highway is that it’s free. The major attraction on the Ke’anae Arboretum is the rainbow eucalyptus bushes. We thought the Eurcaplytus bushes of Maui had been the best factor. They are an invasive species imported from Asia, however you’ll be able to’t assist however cease to take photographs. They are eye-catching. It’s a brief path so it received’t take up an excessive amount of time on the Hana Highway to see them.
16. Honomanu Bay
If you need to see one other black sand seashore it may be executed at Honomanu Bay. This isn’t a preferred cease on the Hana Highway, so you will discover fewer folks right here if you’re searching for a spot with out crowds.
Located at Mile Marker 14, Honomanu Bay is a lush shoreline of Maui the place components of Jurrasic Park had been filmed. We snapped a shot of the coast from a helicopter. This is a cease on the Hana Highway that you just’ll need to do solely when you have time as you’ll be able to’t drive down until you will have a 4X4. So you’ll need to hike.
17. Garden of Eden Arboretum
When driving the Hana Highway, it’s straightforward to seek out the stops on the highway as there are mile markers all alongside the highway. The Maui Garden of Eden is positioned on Mile Marker 10. There are 2 1/2 miles of maintained strolling trails and you’ll see the Puohokamoa waterfalls from the Garden of Eden. It ought to take out about an hour.
There is a cost of $15 to get into the Garden of Eden however it’s value it if you wish to see the flora of the island. There’s an outdated mango tree, and strolling trails by way of the immaculately saved gardens. , so be sure you have the time to essentially discover the gardens.
18. Canyoning at Rappel Maui at Garden of Eden
If you need to do one thing adventurous in Maui, Rappel Maui is positioned within the Garden of Eden the place you’ll be able to ebook a full-day tour to rappel down Puohokamoa Waterfall. We’ve rappelled down a waterfall and it’s wildly enjoyable!
19. Twin Falls
Twin falls is one other waterfall cease on the highway to Hana. There are the decrease falls and the higher falls and it’s a brief one-mile hike making it an simply accessible waterfall for everybody to take pleasure in. It’s a terrific place for a dip in one of many swimming pools. We didn’t go for a swim however you’ll be able to swim there. There can be a farm stand the place you should purchase snacks and smoothies.
Twin Falls is positioned at mile marker 2 and there’s a car parking zone that’s restricted. There is barely room for 50 vehicles at Twin Falls, so when driving out on the highway to Hana, we suggest stopping right here instantly as soon as you permit Paia as a result of there’s a good probability you received’t get a parking spot within the car parking zone and can miss it. There isn’t any parking on the highway to Hana.
20. Ho’Okipa Lookout
We talked about Ho’Okipa Lookout as one of many issues to do in Paia. But when driving the highway to Hana, this can be a nice cease for sundown on the way in which again. Located simply exterior of Paia on the Hana Highway is Ho’okipa Beach Park. It is among the greatest spots on the island for sundown and a terrific place to observe the professionals at work.
You can’t miss it since you’ll see all of the windsurfers taking pictures by way of the water as you strategy. The waves are large right here due to the proper waves that break on its north shore. If you’ll discover ways to Kite surf or windsurf don’t go right here. This is for professionals solely. Do what we did and go to Kahului Beach as a substitute.
21. Paia Fish Market
It’s been a protracted day. (no less than if you’re nuts like us) and time for supper. One of the very best locations to eat in Paia is the Paia Fish Market. Grab a plate of Mahi Mahi at this native favourite and reminisce concerning the superb belongings you noticed at present on the Hana Highway.
Where to Stay on the Road to Hana
There are only some lodges in Hana should you resolve to remain the night time which is a superb concept to permit extra time to discover. The lodging on this facet of Maui as it’s extra of rugged and distant, however you’ll be able to test VRBO for trip leases within the space like this beautiful keep in Hana.
We recommend leaving early to beat the site visitors. The Road to Hana can develop into overcrowded shortly. If you will have two days, we suggest taking the total two days as there are many websites to see! There are a couple of lodges in Hana, we advise the Hana Maui Resort: Check charges and availability
We stayed at the Paia Inn in Paia and it was fabulous. It’s positioned on the seashore and is inside strolling distance of lots of the high Paia sights. The boutique lodge has a hip vibe and presents yoga courses, contemporary Kona espresso, and stylish rooms.
Quick Tips For Driving The Hana Highway
- Make positive to select up The Road to Hana CD at any memento store in Maui. Turn it on in Paia and observe their suggestions as you go. It performs some native music and it’s fairly entertaining in addition.
- Stop in Paia to select up a field lunch at CJ’s Diner.
- Leave early, the roads are completely free and away from site visitors within the morning and also you’ll have the freeway all to your self.
- Pack further water.
- Make positive to have sturdy water sneakers with a very good grip for the waterfall trails.
- We recommend taking 2 days to essentially discover the Hana Highway, one isn’t sufficient to see the whole lot. There are lodging in Hana.
- Drive on to Hana stopping just for a couple of of the waterfall and scenic ocean views to be able to get to the park earlier than the crowds.
- Allow no less than 2 to three hours within the park to discover the climbing trails and make it out to the waterfalls.
- Once you’re completed within the park, make your approach slowly again alongside the freeway stopping in any respect the spots you missed on the way in which out.
- Stop on the black sand seashore in your approach again to Hana from the park to see the locals picnicking and browsing.
- We discovered the freeway to be a extra scenic drive on the way in which again to Paia so take pleasure in your afternoon.
- Pay particular consideration to the one-lane bridges, they are often difficult on winding roads.
About The Hana Highway
Maui’s Hana Highway is taken into account one of many world’s nice coastal drives and essentially the most lovely drive in Hawaii. beginning in Paia and ending simply previous the city of Hana. It is barely 45 miles (72 km) to Hana from Paia, however the drive can take a whole day if you cease in any respect the gorgeous sights alongside the way in which. Read extra: The Most Amazing Facts About Hawaii
The twisting highway to Hana is crammed with 600 hairpin turns crossing 59 bridges. The slim highway clings to the facet of excessive sea cliffs and also you usually come face-to-face with oncoming site visitors.
It shouldn’t be advisable for somebody who shouldn’t be used to driving, so should you don’t have a number of expertise behind the wheel, we advise taking a tour of the Hana Highway as a substitute of driving it your self. But should you wish to drive, and don’t thoughts one-lane bridges, get your self a cool automobile rental and hop on this highway for an exquisite day in Maui.
To get to Hana from Paia you’ll truly take highways 36 and 360. But the Hana Highway sounds a lot cooler. We hopped on Highway 36 in the direction of Hana after which after 9.5 miles, we turned onto freeway 360 to Hana.
In some sources, you may learn concerning the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach. This culturally delicate space is on personal property and is off-limits to guests. Please respect the posted indicators and don’t go to Red Sand Beach.
The Best Tip for Driving the Hana Highway
The greatest tip for driving the highway to Hana is to b-line it to Hana after which drive again slowly in the other way. We drove on to O’he’o Gulch very first thing within the morning. It is simply previous the city of Hana which we placed on our listing to cease at on the way in which again. After exploring the paths and waterfalls, we then made our approach slowly again in the direction of Paia for the remainder of the day.
It was a terrific alternative as we didn’t have to take a seat in site visitors. Plus we had the Pipiwai Trail to the waterfalls and thru the bamboo forest all to ourselves. We had been grateful for our alternative and felt fairly happy with our determination after we noticed the lengthy strains of vehicles on the opposite facet of the highway as we drove in the other way of all of the site visitors.